On World Cancer Day, 4 February 2024, the Australian Government is calling for nominations for the 2024 Jeannie Ferris Award (the Award). The award aims to acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals dedicated to improving equitable outcomes for all Australians affected by cancer.
The Jeannie Ferris Award is named in honour of the late Jeannie Ferris, Senator for South Australia, who was passionately committed to raising awareness about gynaecological cancers. Senator Ferris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2005 and passed away in April 2007.
Now in its 11th year, the Award criteria has been expanded from its original focus of improving outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers to improving equity in cancer outcomes for all people in Australia, to align with the equity focus of the 10-year Australian Cancer Plan.
This alignment to emphasise equity for all seamlessly supports the 2024 World Cancer Day theme, "Closing the Care Gap,” which is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
The 2024 Award will recognise consumers, health professionals and researchers who have made exceptional contributions, and builds on Senator Ferris’s lasting legacy and honours her tireless efforts for cancer awareness and advocacy.
The nomination period will remain open until 5:00pm (AEDT) on Friday, 12 April 2024.
The nomination forms and detailed submission guidelines can be found on the Cancer Australia website: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/key-initiatives/jeannie-ferris-recognition-award.
The Award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving outcomes for people with cancers in two categories:
Category 1 - Members of the community: those with personal experience of cancer, as a person with a diagnosis of cancer; or as a community member, family member, or carer who has been involved in the support and care of people with cancer.
Category 2 - Health professionals and researchers: researchers and health professionals of all disciplines involved in cancer research or clinical care, including (but not limited to) specialists, primary care practitioners, nursing and allied health professionals.
Quotes Attributable to Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler
“I am delighted to announce the call for nominations for the 2024 Jeannie Ferris Award.”
“The broadening of the Award will recognise and promote the value and efforts of consumers, health professional and researchers in improving equitable outcomes for all Australians affected by all cancers.”
“Aligning the Award with the Australian Government’s 10-year Australian Cancer Plan will not only continue to honour Senator Ferris’ proud legacy of cancer awareness and advocacy, it will also provide an incentive to the broader sector to strive to reduce inequities in cancer outcomes.”
“World Cancer Day is an opportunity to foster awareness, compassion, and support. Together, we can illuminate the path towards a world where every individual has fair access to care.”
Quotes attributable to Cancer Australia CEO Dorothy Keefe
“I am delighted that we are now calling for nominations for the broadened Jeannie Ferris Awards in alignment with the Australian Cancer Plan,
“A key priority of the Plan is improving outcomes for groups with the poorest cancer experiences. This expansion in the scope of the Award will allow us to acknowledge some of the enormously dedicated individuals working tirelessly to improve equity of outcomes and the wellbeing of all people with cancer.”
“We encourage and welcome nominations from across Australia for individuals and organisations who have made substantial contributions to cancer research, patient care, advocacy, and awareness.”